With support of partner Vista Higher Learning, ACTFL's Classroom Microgrants program provides $300 for K-12 language educators to organize cultural events or activities and create projects supporting the development of cultural competence.
When students have the opportunity to participate first-hand in collaborative efforts with community organizations, explore new media and modes of expression, and celebrate what makes global cultures unique, they begin a lifelong journey of discovery.
Celebrating Three Years of K-12 Microgrants
Since Fall 2023, we've been helping teachers bring languages to life for K-12 students in hands-on ways by funding creative cultural projects.
in total grant funding, via $300 grants distributed to support K-12 cultural projects!
languages taught by grantees: ASL, Arabic, ESOL, French, German, Hawaiian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Lakota & Dakota, Latin, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Tamil.
states represented by recipients—including Arizona, Hawai’i, Kansas, New Jersey, West Virginia & others.
Grantee Voices
Hear from grant recipients about the impact of this program:
Eunyoung Ko (VA) – Korean
"I will use the microgrant to purchase calligraphy sets, a hands-on cultural authentic resource that brings the traditional to life in the classroom. Thank you for this opportunity."
David Paez (NM) – Spanish
“With language, we build worlds and share them, but learning a second language isn't easy. It takes the right guidance and engaging materials. That is why I'm working on creating a series of games that help students develop and learn new vocabulary while they're having fun. It's support like this [microgrant] that helps us bring out the best in our students.”
Hoda Alnazer (VA) – Arabic
“I teach a language because I believe it opens doors to understanding diverse cultures and connecting with others. My plan is to purchase different Arabic books of different levels to enhance my students’ literacy skills and also establish a book club!”
Jean Chen (KS) – Mandarin Chinese
“By engaging in guided calligraphy practice, students will experience the artistry of Chinese writing, which can enhance motivation, literacy skills, and cultural literacy in a hands-on way.”
Rajini Christadoss (CA) – French
"It is always fascinating for me to see the different dances from around the world. We'll be using these funds for our international club soirée, which is a grand evening party where we have a world pageant and interesting cultural activities."
Rachel Lake (WA) – Spanish
“I teach Mariachi to high school levels 9th through 12th grade, so I am really excited to get brand new music for my students to explore the different culture and the vibrant nature of Spanish.”
Karla Powell (NV) – ESOL
“I'll be using the funds to buy supplies for a final project where my students, who just finished a unit on change makers, will illustrate their own vision for a better world. Each student will choose a social issue they care about and create a visual project showing how they themselves can make a difference in the world.”
Margaret Spire (TN) – French
“We are going to use our microgrant funds to buy books so we can have plays from around the world performed by our puppets en francais. Merci!”
Jade Graham (CT) – Chinese/Spanish
"By learning languages, students communicate with their peers, family members of their friends, understand and learn new songs, and overall engage with their community and make it a happier place.”
Jordan Lampenfield (CA) – Spanish
“By giving my students access to diverse stories from across the Spanish-speaking world, I get to provide my students with an opportunity to go beyond the textbook. This grant helps to make real world connections and see firsthand how vibrant and unique these cultures truly are.”
Kelsey Patillo (WI) – German
“I'm a language teacher because it gives me the opportunity to really get to know each of my students and to take them somewhere else beyond their world to show them the rest of the world. I don't get to do that with any of the other subjects that I've taught. I’m using my grant funds to purchase a class set of readers for my advanced class. Thank you so much for this opportunity.”
Help bring global cuisine, song and dance, theater, and cultural stories into the classroom: Programs like the Classroom Microgrants are made possible by generous contributions to the LCF from donors like you!
By giving young learners the opportunity to explore new perspectives, we open doors to a world of adventure, curiosity, and empathy.